Illinois I-Corps

I-Corps Boost

I-Corps Boost is a free program that can accelerate your innovation’s journey to market! This intensive program will help you position your innovation for the next step, including qualifying for future funding, including SBIR/STTR, accelerators, incubators, industry partnerships, equity investment, and more!

I-Corps Boost is a modular program that can guide you through essential milestones, wherever you are on your innovation journey. The program is well-suited for those seeking licensing or industry partnerships, or those planning to launch their own startup.

Benefits of the Program

  • Accelerate Commercialization | Move your project forward from early customer discovery to actionable next steps.
  • Mentorship and Guidance | Receive hands-on support from experienced instructors to help refine your business model and go-to-market strategy.
  • Increased Funding Readiness | Develop a compelling pitch and executive summary, enhancing your team’s readiness for grants, investors, and partnerships.

Eligibility

  • At least one member of your team has successfully completed an I-Corps-style customer discovery program (at least 20 interviews) for the same innovation that you will be exploring in this program.
  • Your team has been nominated by a Great Lakes I-Corps Hub partner institution.
  • The entrepreneurial and technical leads have the time and capacity to fully participate in the six-session program including bi-weekly class attendance, assignment completion, customer interviews, and instructor office hours (≅10-15 hours/team member for each two-week module).
  • Your team is highly motivated to advance your innovation beyond the lab via a startup, industry-sponsored research, or licensing to an existing company. 

2026 Cohorts

SPRING 2026

  • 2/27, 3/13, 3/27, 4/10, 4/24, 5/8
  • Class sessions 12pm ET – 2pm ET (11am CT – 1pm CT)
  • Registration is open for the spring cohort.

Apply Here for the Spring 2026 Session

Applications are done through our Hub website. 
If you have questions, please contact Morgan Malm, mmalm@illinois.edu.  

SUMMER 2026

  • 6/12, 6/26, 7/10, 7/24, 8/7, 8/21
  • Class sessions 12pm ET – 2pm ET (11am CT – 1pm CT)
  • Registration is not currently open for the summer cohort.

FALL 2026

  • 10/9, 10/23, 11/6, 11/20, 12/4, 12/18
  • Class sessions 12pm ET – 2pm ET (11am CT – 1pm CT)
  • Registration is not currently open for the fall cohort.